2. digital
  3. 144404-20253

High resolution digital is dead. The best DAC's killed it.

Something that came as a surprise to me is how good DAC's have gotten over the past 5-10 years.

Before then, there was a consistent, marked improvement going from Redbook (44.1/16) to 96/24 or higher.

The modern DAC, the best of them, no longer do this. The Redbook playback is so good high resolution is almost not needed. Anyone else notice this?
erik_squires
erik_squires OP
5,268 posts
 
Even if polarity mattered, and I'm on camp no, then what type of gear we need gets complicated.
Most multi-way speakers have 1 or more inverted drivers. A typical 2-way box speaker inverts the tweeter relative to the woofer (but not always).

Things get even more random with 3 or more way crossovers.
So really the only way to have a kind of decent view is to use headphones, single driver speakers, or polarity coincident multi-way speakers, such as the old Thiels, Vandersteens, etc. which have not captured an overwhelming mind share.
mewsickbuff
124 posts
 
I had a Calyx Femto DAC (now sold) that had a phase option with "inverse." I never used it. It was an excellent DAC, but I sold it and bought my current DAC, T + A DAC 8 DSD. It has many options for PCM or DSD with multiple filters and settings. I bought it because it was capable of converting everything to DSD @ 48/512. That's how I listen to all my music with Signalyst HQ Player. I must say I have no experience with most of the DAC's you all speak of. I've only owned 4 all together. As far as I'm concerned this T + A will be the end game for me. I love what I'm hearing and that's my story.
cleeds
2,065 posts
 
fleschler
You are mixing up reverse channels on SP 8 and 10. SP 11 and Ref 3 and 5 have reverse polarity.
Good catch - you're absolutely right! I stand corrected. Thanks for setting the record straight.
glupson
1,794 posts
 
"Even two sides of an LP could be different (1 side correct, 1 side wrong)."
There is a major conspiracy going on in the world. People have been going out of their way to mess up polarity of the recordings. For decades and all around the world.
glupson
1,794 posts
 
Regarding "phase inversion button"...

"Um, no one has it because almost no one finds any value in it."
I have it. Two of them. I find it valuable to have them, at least I can say I checked for differences. At the same time, I find difference so minor that it seems to border imagination rather than real result.

In short, if you do not have this magic button, do not despair. You are not missing much.
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